Vehicle having assist handle deployment and method

ABSTRACT

A vehicle is provided that includes a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions, at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate the vehicle, and an actuator for actuating the deployable assist handle. The vehicle also includes a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle assist handles, and more particularly relates to a vehicle having assist handle deployment for ease of ingress and egress.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Automotive vehicles are commonly equipped with handle structures referred to as passenger assist handles for passengers to grasp with their hand when entering and exiting the vehicle. Assist handles are commonly fixed to a support in the vehicle. Some assist handles may pivot between stowed and use positions. It may be desirable to provide for an assist handle that may accommodate characteristics of a user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided that includes a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions, at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate the vehicle, and an actuator for actuating the deployable assist handle. The vehicle also includes a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the deployable assist handle is located proximate to a door on         the vehicle;     -   the deployable assist handle is located above the door and is         deployable amongst a plurality of use positions at different         heights;     -   the determined one or more characteristics of the user includes         measured dimensions of the user;     -   the measured dimensions of the user include height of the user,         length of a leg of the user and length of an arm of the user;     -   the determined one or more characteristics of the user include         the gait of the user;     -   the determined one or more characteristics of the user include         speed of the user;     -   the at least one sensor comprises at least one imaging camera;     -   the at least one imaging camera captures images of a user         proximate to the vehicle and the controller processes the images         and determines the characteristics of the user from the images;         and     -   the at least one sensor further comprises at least one of a         radar and ultrasonic sensor.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided that includes a door, a deployable assist handle located proximate to the door and configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions at different heights, at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate the door of the vehicle, and an actuator for actuating the deployable assist handle. The vehicle also includes a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user including measured dimensions of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of deploying a deployable handle on a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions, sensing a user proximate the vehicle, determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data, and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the deployable assist handle is located proximate to a door on         the vehicle;     -   the deployable assist handle is located above the door and is         deployable amongst a plurality of heights;     -   the determined one or more characteristics of the user includes         measured dimensions of the user;     -   the measured dimensions include height of the user, length of a         leg of the user and length of an arm of the user;     -   the determined one or more characteristics of the user include         the gait of the user and speed of the user;     -   the at least one sensor comprises at least one imaging camera;     -   the at least one imaging camera captures images of a user         proximate to the vehicle and the controller processes the images         and determines the characteristics of the user from the images;         and     -   the at least one sensor further comprises at least one of a         radar and ultrasonic sensor.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with deployable assist handles and sensors for sensing a user to control the assist handles, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the cabin interior of the vehicle illustrating a pair of deployable assist handles in stowed and use positions;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the exterior of the vehicle illustrating an open door and an assist handle in a deployed position as a user approaches the vehicle;

FIG. 4A is a captured image of a user person showing a lower body gait including the legs and mid-torso, according to one example;

FIG. 4B is a captured image of the front upper portion of a user person showing the upper body gait including the head with face and torso, according to another example;

FIG. 4C is a captured image of a user person showing the entire body of the user as the user approaches the vehicle, according to a further example;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the deployable assist handle illustrating the assist handle in a plurality of deployed positions and a stowed position;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a vehicle controller configured to detect user characteristics and control one or more of the handle actuators for the deployable assist handles, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for sensing a user's characteristics and controlling the deployable assist handle, according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale and certain components are enlarged relative to the other components for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle having sensors and a deployable assist handle and method. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , a wheeled automotive or motor vehicle 10 is generally illustrated having a cabin interior 16 defined by a vehicle body 12 and configured with passenger seating including a front row of seats 22 and 24 and a rear row of seats 26 for transporting passengers in the vehicle 10. The cabin interior 16 is generally defined by the vehicle body 12 which may include one or more doors 14 and a roof 20 of the top side. The arrangement of seats includes a driver seat 22 forward of a steering wheel and a passenger seat 24 both on opposite lateral sides in the front row, and one or more rear seats 26 defining a second row. Each of the rows of seats are generally aligned with a corresponding door 14 on each side to allow ingress and egress to the vehicle cabin interior 16. The roof 20 includes a headliner 18 generally disposed on the bottom surface thereof.

The motor vehicle 10 includes one or more deployable assist handles 30. In the example shown, the motor vehicle 10 includes assist handles 30 located proximate to the left and right sides of each of the front and rear rows of seating and shown mounted to the roof 20 within the headliner 18 at locations proximate to the doors 14. As such, each assist handle is positioned to enable a user, such as a passenger, to engage and grip the assist handle 30 with a hand for support while entering the vehicle 10, exiting the vehicle 10, or for support while traveling in the vehicle 10. For example, a passenger may grip the assist handle 30 for ease in entering the vehicle 10. According to another example, the passenger may grip the assist handle 30 for ease in exiting the vehicle 10. According to a further example, a user, such as a passenger, may grip the assist handle 30 while traveling in the vehicle 10, such as traveling on rough terrain, for purposes of maintaining balance and stability. While the assist handle 30 is shown located on the roof 20 proximate to the headliner 18, it should be appreciated that the assist handle 30 may be located elsewhere on the vehicle 10, preferably proximate to a door such as on a door pillar of the vehicle 10.

The assist handle 30 is a deployable assist handle that may be actuated between a stowed position and a plurality of deployed use positions, depending on a sensed user and sensed characteristics of the user. The vehicle 10 is equipped with at least one sensor for sensing a user in the form of a person proximate to the vehicle 10. More specifically, the at least one sensor may sense a user proximate to and approaching the vehicle 10 in an attempt to enter the vehicle 10. The at least one sensor may sense dimensions of the user including height of the user, length of the legs of the user, and length of the arms of the user, for example. In addition, the at least one sensor may sense the gait of the user which is the movement of the user which may be acquired by monitoring a sequence of poses of the user. Further, the at least one sensor may detect the speed of the user approaching the vehicle 10. Based on the sensed characteristics of the user, including height of the user, leg length, arm length, gait of the user and speed of the user, the deployable assist handle 30 may be actuated to one of a plurality of deployed positions to accommodate the sensed characteristics of the user and enhance the access to the vehicle 10. This may occur when the user reaches towards the door and/or when the door proximate thereto opens. It should be appreciated that the at least one sensor may also sense the user seated in the vehicle and may deploy the deployable assist handle to one of a plurality of positons based on the sensed characteristics of the user when the user reaches for the handle and/or the door opens.

The vehicle 10 is shown equipped with a plurality of sensors that are located and oriented on the vehicle 10 for sensing objects such as potential users, e.g., driver and passengers. The at least one or more sensors may include one or more of the plurality of sensors. The sensors which are shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of imaging sensors 82, also referred to as cameras, located both on the exterior and interior of the vehicle 10. The exterior imaging sensors 82 may acquire images within a space nearby (e.g., within a few meters) and surrounding the vehicle 10, particularly proximate to one or more doors of the vehicle 10. One or more interior imaging sensors 82 may detect a user seated within the vehicle 10 or located within the cabin interior 16. The plurality of imaging sensors include exterior imaging sensors 82 on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle proximate to the side passenger doors, a front exterior imaging camera 82, a rear exterior imaging camera 82, and an interior camera 82 oriented to capture images within the cabin interior 16. Imaging cameras 82 may acquire images of zones in the space nearby and around the perimeter of the vehicle 10 and within the vehicle 10. The acquired images may be processed by a controller using video processing to identify objects such as one or more people as potential users and the position and characteristics of the users.

The plurality of sensors may also include a plurality of radar sensors 84 shown located on an exterior of the vehicle 10. In the example shown, four radar sensors 84 are shown located on opposite left and right lateral sides of the vehicle 10 proximate to the passenger side doors. The radar sensors 84 transmit radio waves and process their reflections from one or more objects to determine distance to the object(s), speed of the object, and location of the object(s).

The plurality of sensors 80 may further include a plurality of ultrasonic sensors 86. In the example shown, four ultrasonic sensors 86 are shown located at the rear end of the vehicle 10. The ultrasonic sensors 86 may be used to detect location, size and relative distance from the vehicle 10 to the detected object(s). It should be appreciated that other sensors may be employed on the vehicle 10 to sense objects such as potential users proximate to the vehicle 10 and generate sensed signals that may be used to identify each user and characteristics of the user for use in assisting with controlling the actuator for one or more of the deployable assist handles 30 on the vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that the sensors 80 may be located at any of a number of locations on the vehicle 10 to detect potential users and acquire characteristics of the users.

A user 50 is illustrated in one example approaching the vehicle 10 with the driver door 14 in the open position in FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this scenario, the at least one sensor, such as the imaging camera 82 detects the user and acquires sensed characteristic data that may be processed including dimensions of the user such as height, leg length and arm length, gait of the user 50 and speed of the user. An image processor associated with the controller may process the acquired images of the user 50 shown in FIG. 3 and further shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. The image processing may process the images of the person as the user 50 to determine dimensions of the user, such as the height of the user from the user's feet 64 to the top of the head 58, the length of the arms 54 of the user 50, and the length of the legs 56 of the user 50. The image processing may further determine a size of the torso 52 of the user 50 and position and/or height of the arms 54 and hands 62 of the user 50. The image processing may determine the bone structure of the user as shown by lines 55 and may determine an estimated pose of the use from the bone structure. The image processing may monitor the movement of the user 50 as the user 50 approaches the vehicle 10. From the monitored movement of the user 50, the image processing may determine the gait of the user from estimated poses and, with the use of radar or other sensors, may determine the speed of the user approaching the vehicle 10. As a user approaches the vehicle 10, the deployable assist handle 30 may be deployed to one of a plurality of use positions determined based on the sensed characteristics of the user. For example, if the user is shorter, or has a slow gait and smaller body dimensions, the assist handle 30 may be deployed to a first lowest use position. If the user is taller and more active, the deployable assist handle may be deployed to a second higher use position. As such, an optimal position of the assist handle may be determined and adjusted for optimal presentation for ease and entry and exiting of the vehicle 10.

The image processing may further determine if a user is elevated, such as, for example, standing on a curb or step, and may take that into account when adjusting the position of the assist handle.

Referring to FIG. 5 , one example of a deployable assist handle 30 is illustrated. The deployable assist handle 30 is shown mounted proximate to the headliner 18 below the roof 20 in the vehicle 10 and includes a handle portion 32 which may be a U-shaped handle portion connected to a pivot axis 36 near one end. As such, the handle body 32 may rotate about the pivot axis 36 between a stowed position shown stowed upward within a portion of the headliner 18 and one of a plurality of downward use positions. The use positions may vary based on the angle of deployment which determines the adjustable height of the handle body 32. The handle body 32 is actuated about the pivot axis 36 with the use of an actuator, such as an electric motor 38. As such, a controller may control the motor 38 to actuate and rotate the handle body 32 amongst a plurality of use positions and the stowed position. In addition to rotating the handle body 32 to different use positions, the handle body 32 may be configured to extend outward to extended use positions, according to further embodiments.

It should be appreciated the deployable assist handle 30 may otherwise be configured to provide a plurality of adjustable use positions, according to other embodiments. For example, a linearly deployable assist handle may be employed to extend linearly downward and upward to different heights. According to a further example, a linear deployable assist handle may be positioned within a pillar of the vehicle 10 and movable amongst a plurality of positions at different heights.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the vehicle 10 is shown having a controller 70 that monitors various inputs from the sensors 80, including from the cameras 82, radar 84, and ultrasonic sensors 86 and generates output signals that are processed by the controller 70 to control the handle actuators 38 associated with the assist handles. The controller 70 may also receive sensed signals from door sensors associated with the vehicle doors which may indicate open or closed door positions. The controller 70 may include control circuitry, such as a microprocessor 72 and memory 74. It should be appreciated that the controller 70 may be a dedicated or shared controller and may be comprised of analog and/or digital control circuitry. Stored in memory 74 are one or more control routines including routine 100 which may be executed by the microprocessor 72. In addition, one or more lookup tables 200 may be stored in memory 74 and processed by the microprocessor 72. The lookup tables 200 may include tables of stored data that provide assist handle positions based on height of the user, leg length of the user, arm length of the user, gait of the user, and speed of the user, for example. The controller 70 processes the various inputs to detect characteristics of a user and actuates the handle actuators to control the position of the assist handle to present the assist handle at an optimal position and assist a user in entering or exiting the vehicle 10.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the control routine 100 is illustrated, according to one example. Control routine 100 begins at step 102 and proceeds to step 104 to detect a user, such as a person, approaching the vehicle with the intent on entering the vehicle. Routine 100 then proceeds to step 106 to use the sensors to measure the height, arm length, leg length and other characteristics of the user. Next, at step 108, routine 100 adjusts the assist handle to a height according to the measured data and comparison to a lookup table stored in memory. The lookup table may provide selectable assist handle positions depending on the measured height of the user, leg length, arm length, gait of the user and speed of the user, according to one example. Next, routine 100 proceeds to step 110 to continue to adjust the height of the assist handle and decision step 112 to determine if the user is seated. A seated user can be determined by processing images captured in the cabin interior or use of a passenger seat sensor, for example. If the user is not seated, routine 100 returns to step 110. Once the user is seated, routine 100 proceeds to step 114 to stow the assist handle, which is to actuate the assist handle to the upward stowed position, before ending thereafter.

Accordingly, the vehicle 10 advantageously provides for a sensing arrangement and deployable assist handle 30 that deploys to a position depending on the sensed characteristics of a user. This advantageously allows for an optimal height or position of the assist handle 30 to allow a user to enter or exit the vehicle 10.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions; at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate the vehicle; an actuator for actuating the deployable assist handle; and a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics, wherein the determined one or more characteristics of the user includes measured dimensions of the user, and wherein the measured dimensions of the user include height of the user, length of a leg of the user and length of an arm of the user.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the deployable assist handle is located proximate to a door on the vehicle.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the deployable assist handle is located above the door and is deployable amongst a plurality of use positions at different heights.
 4. A vehicle comprising: a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions; at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate the vehicle; an actuator for actuating the deployable assist handle; and a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics, wherein the determined one or more characteristics of the user includes measured dimensions of the user, and wherein the determined one or more characteristics of the user include the gait of the user.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the determined one or more characteristics of the user include speed of the user.
 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one imaging camera.
 7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the at least one imaging camera captures images of a user proximate to the vehicle and the controller processes the images and determines the characteristics of the user from the images.
 8. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises at least one of a radar and ultrasonic sensor.
 9. A method of deploying a deployable handle on a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a deployable assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, the deployable assist handle being deployable amongst a plurality of use positions; sensing a user proximate the vehicle; determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data; and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle to a select use position based on the determined one or more characteristics, wherein the determine one or more characteristics of the user includes measured dimensions of the user, and wherein the measured dimensions include height of the user, length of a leg of the user and length of an arm of the user.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the deployable assist handle is located proximate to a door on the vehicle.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the deployable assist handle is located above the door and is deployable amongst a plurality of heights.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the determined one or more characteristics of the user include the gait of the user and speed of the user.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one imaging camera.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one imaging camera captures images of a user proximate to the vehicle and the controller processes the images and determines the characteristics of the user from the images.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises at least one of a radar and ultrasonic sensor. 